Introducing the Mada Business Linkage: An Inter-Company Digital Platform for Malagasy Businesses

(AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK) – The African Development Bank, through the SME Business Linkage Program (Business Linkage Program between small and medium-sized enterprises and large enterprises), organized a workshop on September 14, 2023, in Antananarivo. to present to Malagasy companies, the inter-company digital platform “ Mada Business Linkage ».

“Mada Business Linkage” is a digital platform that allows business connections between companies (B2B) formally registered in Madagascar. It is intended for large, small and medium-sized companies looking for suppliers or subcontractors or to give visibility to companies wishing to establish commercial relationships with other companies. The platform allows them to introduce themselves to other businesses, show off their products or services and make themselves known.

The workshop aimed to officially open the platform to all formally registered businesses in Madagascar. Until the beginning of 2024, companies are invited to register and use the platform free of charge to: present their activities to other member companies of the network, find out about requests published on the platform (request for information, calls for demonstrations of interest, calls for tenders, etc.), view and download content and participate in discussions. They are also authorized to issue collaboration offers on the platform and to view the network of registered companies. Subsequently, annual subscription fees from members will allow the platform to self-finance.

The “Mada Business Linkage” platform is part of the Business Linkage Program between small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and large companies (SME Business Linkage Program, BLP), initiated by the African Development Bank. Covering all sectors of the economy, the program aims to support the growth of SMEs, promote large-scale economic development, and create better employment opportunities for women and youth in economic sectors. keys.

Launched in May 2020, the Madagascar SME Connecting Program (SME Business Linkage Program) is funded for approximately US$1.4 million by the African Development Bank.

« This inter-company link development program is an innovative mechanism in that SMEs now have the means to respond to opportunities offered by large companies, expressed through the online platform. “, said Adam Amoumoun, country manager of the African Development Bank in Madagascar. “ This mechanism should be leveraged and scaled in order to improve the local supply chain in a sustainable manner. “, he added.

Ingenosya, a leading digital transformation company in Madagascar, designed and developed the “Mada Business Linkage” platform which allows businesses to easily identify potential local suppliers of goods and services, assess their capabilities and collaborate with they. The platform also makes it possible to professionalize suppliers and subcontractors, to contribute to improving the competitiveness of companies, and to facilitate collaboration between companies within the national economic fabric, through the development and management of a network of companies, while highlighting skills that are little known but considered important, to develop sectors of activity.

« The Mada Business Linkage platform is now accessible to everyone and I invite all interested companies to discover it and take advantage of its advantages. The platform is set to gradually improve, so suggestions for improvement via the forum are welcome. “, declared Miangaly Andriamampandry, deputy director of Ingenosya.

According to Sandrine Rakotovao, in charge of the SME Business Linkage Program at the Bank, at the end of the workshop, an information and promotion campaign for the platform will be launched throughout the month of October 2023 in the cities of the interior of the country – Taolagnaro, Toamasina, Antsiranana, Mahajanga, Antsirabe, Fianarantsoa, ​​and Toliary in partnership with the Chambers of Commerce and Industry and the branches of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar, to facilitate the registration of companies in the platform.

The Business Linkage Program is implemented in partnership with public and private entities involved in supporting the development of the private sector in Madagascar.